How will Trump’s tax INCREASE affect you?

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

1 minute ago, The Frankish Reich said:

Oh, the ones who've made a lucrative career out of Trump-thumping have portfolios.

The others have a dream of papa's coal mine reopening.

The Trump thumpers would be the other side of the coin from people in government with lucrative careers from being in govt (and stumbling upon some amazing information that would put regular folk and Martha Stewart in jail)?  

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

12 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

Oh, the ones who've made a lucrative career out of Trump-thumping have portfolios.

The others have a dream of papa's coal mine reopening.

I've been watching the White Lotus, and they call us LBHs - Losers Back Home. We should book a buddy trip, @leh-nerd skin-erd

Missed the part about the buddy trip.  The problem, Frank,  is that while I typically seek to portray you as a bumbling yet kindly aging barrister, if we travel, it will become apparent that of the two of us, I'm a homely Starsky, you oozing cool like Hutch (relatively speaking of course). 

 

I can't have it, Frank, I just can't. 

[The Frankish Reich]

2 minutes ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

Missed the part about the buddy trip.  The problem, Frank,  is that while I typically seek to portray you as a bumbling yet kindly aging barrister, if we travel, it will become apparent that of the two of us, I'm a homely Starsky, you oozing cool like Hutch (relatively speaking of course). 

 

I can't have it, Frank, I just can't. 

I always thought that about Starsky, but then I read that Darryl Hall was always jealous of John Oates because that short dark and hairy look got more girls.

That was the 70s of course.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

33 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

Oh, the ones who've made a lucrative career out of Trump-thumping have portfolios.

The others have a dream of papa's coal mine reopening.

I've been watching the White Lotus, and they call us LBHs - Losers Back Home. We should book a buddy trip, @leh-nerd skin-erd

That show is devoid of likable characters. I think that’s where we’re headed. Vacationing with like minded friends is the best bet these days imo. 

[The Frankish Reich]

27 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

That show is devoid of likable characters

I think that's the point. That and watching the female cast.

Or male cast if that's your thing.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

1 minute ago, The Frankish Reich said:

I think that's the point. That and watching the female cast.

Or male cast if that's your thing.

Classically there is a protagonist in drama. It’s lacking one. Not my thing. 

[The Frankish Reich]

1 minute ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

Classically there is a protagonist in drama. It’s lacking one. Not my thing. 

I watch it as ultra-light entertainment.

Question: have you watched The Pitt? If so, what do you think?

[Joe Ferguson forever]

13 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

I watch it as ultra-light entertainment.

Question: have you watched The Pitt? If so, what do you think?

I watch white lotus. It’s like a car crash and I can identify some of the characters in real life. Haven’t seen the Piitt. We are watching the Good Karma Hospital which is entertaining but totally unrealistic. Best thing I’ve seen recently is “Flow” which is the Oscar winning animated film.  No humans and no dialogue and yet amazing and thought provoking. 

Edited April 4 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Andy1]

9 hours ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

@Andy1, just gauging your thoughts on what Fergie has shared here as it relates to your perspective on collective responsibility for the current situation in our world. 

 

Assuming what's been shared is accurate, Fergie is a retired businessman who enjoys country clubs, golf, travel, fine wine, the beautiful beaches of Cuba (oddly devoid of Cubans as I recall), liberal politics and a robust discussion on the future of the country.  He would also fall into the Boomer category, one of the groups you suggested needed to do more as a sort of fiscal penance for the state of the world as it exists today. 

 

Fergs is looking to invest in a property in Portugal. A quick check of real estate available revealed a 3 bedroom villa (new build) near Lisbon sells for $600,000 US, though that's just one of many I am sure.  

 

My question, Andy...would you think that money be better served spent here, in our country to assist those in need and fund social programs?  If so, should a wealthy American be assessed a fee (or tax) on the overseas purchase?  Let's use 10% as an example---would it be unreasonable to ask/require a wealthy American to contribute $60,000 based on the knowledge that  his/her success was really all our collective success?  This, of course would be in addition to whatever tax requirements exist for a US citizen living abroad.

 

We struggled to find a number you might be comfortable to contribute the other day, but if people like Fergs were willing to help out just a little bit more, maybe people like you and I can keep the lights on. 

 

 

 

 

 

Well lehnerd, you certainly know how to present an issue in a way that activates the grey matter. I appreciate that. It’s better than the mindless insults so common here at times. 
 

I sense that my comment about collective responsibility for the national debt has rubbed you the wrong way a bit. To my primitive way of thinking, our government is itself a collective enterprise. As in “We the people….” and all that jazz.  Without the collective “We” paying taxes, voting, participating, etc, our government does not function. Maybe this concept is now passé in the age of Trumpism when many are convinced that the “I alone…” concept may be a better way. I’m a late adopter of new tech and new ideas so call me old fashioned or a traditionalist believing in democracy on this matter. For better or worse, we are all in this together. 
 

Now with respect to the concept of lightening Fergs wallet a bit to fund those in need and boost social programs above and beyond what he currently contributes to Uncle Sam - I’ll preface my comments with the admission that I have just enough knowledge of tax policy to understand my form 1040. The idea of having the wealthy out-of-towners pay extra in taxes is already happening here as it isn’t unusual for local communities to bill owners of seasonal use vacation homes at a higher rate than locals in the same community. I would bet that if the question were on a ballot, I and most Americans would vote for billing Fergs the extra 60k or whatever when he buys his villa in Portugal. It’s certainly an America First type of policy concept although Trump and his billionaire buddies probably wouldn’t favor it. Now the big question is what is that extra money used for.

I have mixed feelings on government funded social programs you mention. There are some who are truly needy and depend on those various programs. On the other hand, I see a lot of people doing irresponsible things with their lives, seemingly unconcerned about their future since they know or expect the government will take care of them. People with almost no money who waste what they get on stupid stuff instead of working and saving to get out of depending on the government. People who don’t care enough about their health to change their behavior but who then expect government to pay for health care. Other people don’t seem too concerned about working but sure are expecting social security in their retirement. Same issue with people living in high risk areas who expect a government check when the predictable disaster hits. And same for corporate welfare to people like Musk. Everybody thinks they deserve the check from the government. 
 

When I was a kid, my parents needed food stamps for a while to help feed our family, so I understand and support benefit programs helping those who are truly needy. Personally, I’ve been working since I was 16 and continue to work, paying my full tax bill each year. I’ve lived beneath my means, saved/invested a lot, and have been blessed to be financially comfortable as I near retirement. I support government social programs helping immigrants who want to work and adapt to America. I think there are plenty of people evading taxes who then expect government programs. Government seems to take care of the irresponsible bottom earners and bail out the irresponsible corporate wealthy, and making sure there are plenty of loopholes so they can avoid paying what they should. The middle class is left to pay the bill.
 

I think social security benefits should be capped based on what you have paid in taxes. SS also has the math problem you’ve mentioned that needs to be addressed some way - new revenue source, more workers paying or less benefits. Huge amounts of government money are spent on health care with poor return on investment. There are moral issues to grapple with in that department. The IRS should be enforcing the tax law, especially on the uber wealthy. I’m sure there is plenty of stupid government waste but I have no faith that Trump is dealing with that in an intelligent manner.
 

The concept of those who have more should pay more has long been a part of our tax code. Just look at the historical tax rates in the first half of the 20th century, back “when America was great”. When the need was greatest, the wealthy paid their share. That concept seems to have disappeared when Bush went to war after 9/11 and gave a tax cut at the same time. Our entire government is dis functional and the inability to do rational taxing and spending exemplifies it. 
 

My original comment about collective responsibility referred to the need to pay down our national debt. If the collective we, as Americans aren’t responsible for that, then who is? 

 

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

11 hours ago, Andy1 said:

Well lehnerd, you certainly know how to present an issue in a way that activates the grey matter. I appreciate that. It’s better than the mindless insults so common here at times. 
 

I sense that my comment about collective responsibility for the national debt has rubbed you the wrong way a bit. To my primitive way of thinking, our government is itself a collective enterprise. As in “We the people….” and all that jazz.  Without the collective “We” paying taxes, voting, participating, etc, our government does not function. Maybe this concept is now passé in the age of Trumpism when many are convinced that the “I alone…” concept may be a better way. I’m a late adopter of new tech and new ideas so call me old fashioned or a traditionalist believing in democracy on this matter. For better or worse, we are all in this together. 
 

Now with respect to the concept of lightening Fergs wallet a bit to fund those in need and boost social programs above and beyond what he currently contributes to Uncle Sam - I’ll preface my comments with the admission that I have just enough knowledge of tax policy to understand my form 1040. The idea of having the wealthy out-of-towners pay extra in taxes is already happening here as it isn’t unusual for local communities to bill owners of seasonal use vacation homes at a higher rate than locals in the same community. I would bet that if the question were on a ballot, I and most Americans would vote for billing Fergs the extra 60k or whatever when he buys his villa in Portugal. It’s certainly an America First type of policy concept although Trump and his billionaire buddies probably wouldn’t favor it. Now the big question is what is that extra money used for.

I have mixed feelings on government funded social programs you mention. There are some who are truly needy and depend on those various programs. On the other hand, I see a lot of people doing irresponsible things with their lives, seemingly unconcerned about their future since they know or expect the government will take care of them. People with almost no money who waste what they get on stupid stuff instead of working and saving to get out of depending on the government. People who don’t care enough about their health to change their behavior but who then expect government to pay for health care. Other people don’t seem too concerned about working but sure are expecting social security in their retirement. Same issue with people living in high risk areas who expect a government check when the predictable disaster hits. And same for corporate welfare to people like Musk. Everybody thinks they deserve the check from the government. 
 

When I was a kid, my parents needed food stamps for a while to help feed our family, so I understand and support benefit programs helping those who are truly needy. Personally, I’ve been working since I was 16 and continue to work, paying my full tax bill each year. I’ve lived beneath my means, saved/invested a lot, and have been blessed to be financially comfortable as I near retirement. I support government social programs helping immigrants who want to work and adapt to America. I think there are plenty of people evading taxes who then expect government programs. Government seems to take care of the irresponsible bottom earners and bail out the irresponsible corporate wealthy, and making sure there are plenty of loopholes so they can avoid paying what they should. The middle class is left to pay the bill.
 

I think social security benefits should be capped based on what you have paid in taxes. SS also has the math problem you’ve mentioned that needs to be addressed some way - new revenue source, more workers paying or less benefits. Huge amounts of government money are spent on health care with poor return on investment. There are moral issues to grapple with in that department. The IRS should be enforcing the tax law, especially on the uber wealthy. I’m sure there is plenty of stupid government waste but I have no faith that Trump is dealing with that in an intelligent manner.
 

The concept of those who have more should pay more has long been a part of our tax code. Just look at the historical tax rates in the first half of the 20th century, back “when America was great”. When the need was greatest, the wealthy paid their share. That concept seems to have disappeared when Bush went to war after 9/11 and gave a tax cut at the same time. Our entire government is dis functional and the inability to do rational taxing and spending exemplifies it. 
 

My original comment about collective responsibility referred to the need to pay down our national debt. If the collective we, as Americans aren’t responsible for that, then who is? 

 

Thanks Andy, awesome reply and I appreciate it.  The typical reply to questions people aren’t interested in answering is “straw man” or “whataboutism”.  I get that, but at some point, the theoretical “we need to do something” boils down to “Great, what are you willing to do?”. 
 

A couple thoughts—

 

1. Your thoughts on “collective responsibility” are spot on, I have no issue with that.  Like you, I contribute through all the usual means—tax, consumption, charity, civic participation, manage my life to avoid burdening others etc—and understand my good fortune.  Like you, I believe in a social safety net, benefited from food stamps in my lifetime, and was raised in a family that believed we were all in it together.   That said…there is nothing in my Collective Responsibility Charter that suggests I need to be fooled, duped or complicit in abject stupidity of programs vibe wild.  Fix the spending, fix the corruption, fix the grift and when all is said and done, if my tax needs to go up to help others, I’m happy to contribute.  
 

2. Helping immigrants is fine and noble, however, the illegal immigration issue must be dealt with.  People are victimized on both sides of the border, and for those suggesting the cost of lettuce will go up because they support cheap labor and the victimization on the route to the country, I say eat less lettuce.  We can have a safe, secure immigration system without madness, chaos and corruption. 
 

3. “Fair share” is a myth, a fable, something that makes people feel ok about pointing the finger at the other guy with more and screaming “I don’t want to pay, he should do it!”.   A sensible, progressive tax is fine—-and let’s not pretend that the early days of the country didn’t come with tax breaks, tax dodges, and ways to beat the system.  I won’t take the time to search, but it’s widely accepted that the actual tax rate from the heavy days of the 1950s was about the same as it is today all things considered.     That said Andy—-where the 🤬 are the millions of liberal do-gooders stepping up, demanding they be heard and revealing all the extra money they have sent to the govt to solve the crisis?  
 

We’re responsible, of course, but the assumption that the solution is just to throw more and more money at the problem and shouting “oligarch” and “billionaire” is not the answer.   It’s akin to your family running up $100,000 in credit card debt on $50k in income and figuring the solution is to incur more debt.  Hard questions must be asked, ingrained behavior addressed, and difficult solutions implemented.  
 

Btw—I do not know one supporter of DJT in my extended circle of family and friends who thinks and behaves the way you portrayed them above.  Open your mind a bit. 
 

Almost forgot:  😂 to being willing to skim $60k off Fancy Fergie.  From my perspective, that shouldn’t happen though it would be nice if he was a bit more concerned about collective responsibility and voluntarily contributed.  He’s our resident oligarchian wannabe, I think. 

Edited April 5 by leh-nerd skin-erd

[The Frankish Reich]

20 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:

Haven’t seen the Piitt.

@Joe Ferguson forever Just wondering what your take would be on The Pitt. I've heard that many ER docs say it is the most realistic of all medical shows. Incredibly fast-paced. Of course, not "realistic" I imagine since they cram every single outrageous thing that may have happened to their ER doc consultants in a career into 15 one-hour episodes. 

I find it pretty absorbing as a window into a world I know little about.

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

54 minutes ago, The Frankish Reich said:

@Joe Ferguson forever Just wondering what your take would be on The Pitt. I've heard that many ER docs say it is the most realistic of all medical shows. Incredibly fast-paced. Of course, not "realistic" I imagine since they cram every single outrageous thing that may have happened to their ER doc consultants in a career into 15 one-hour episodes. 

I find it pretty absorbing as a window into a world I know little about.

I don’t watch either show, but in 2025, to compete with AI, I think some actors have to sacrifice a kidney or two in pursuit of their craft.  That’s realism.  Demand more, The Frank.  

[Homelander]

 

[Orlando Buffalo]

This kinda stuff is hilarious, the only way it jumps that high is if Nike wants to make the same profit margin. Even if you want simply to keep the same profit per shoe made add $20 per shoe and it will be the same. I also don't buy Nikes because they are overpriced for what they are but that is another issue.